TOEFL Essay Question Types –
Preference

The lists of 'Preference' TOEFL Independent Writing topics below will help you prepare for this type of question on your exam. Look at questions in the following four categories as well, to be prepared for all the types of TOEFL essays.

1. Some people say that physical exercise should be a required part of every school day. Other people believe that students should spend
the whole school day on academic studies. Which opinion do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

2. A university plans to develop a new research center in your country. Some people want a center for business research. Other people want a center for research in agriculture (farming). Which of these two kinds of research centers do you recommend for your country? Use specific reasons in your recommendation.

3. Some high schools require all students to wear school uniforms. Other high schools permit students to decide what to wear to school. Which of these two school policies do you think is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

4. What do you consider to be the most important room in a house? Why is this room more important to you than any other room? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your opinion.

5. Some items (such as clothes or furniture) can be made by hand or by machine. Which do you prefer — items made by hand or items
made by machine? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice.

6. A gift (such as a camera, a soccer ball, or an animal) can contribute to a child’s development. What gift would you give to help a child
develop? Why? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice.

7. Some people choose friends who are different from themselves. Others choose friends who are similar to themselves. Compare the advantages of having friends who are different from you with the advantages of having friends who are similar to you. Which kind of friend do you prefer for
yourself? Why?

8. Some people enjoy change, and they look forward to new experiences. Others like their lives to stay the same, and they do
not change their usual habits. Compare these two approaches to life. Which approach do you prefer? Explain why.

9. People learn in different ways. Some people learn by doing things; other people learn by reading about things; others learn by listening
to people talk about things. Which of these methods of learning is best for you? Use specific examples to support your choice.

10. Some people prefer to plan activities for their free time very carefully. Others choose not to make any plans at all for their free time. Compare the benefits of planning free-time activities with the benefits of not making plans. Which do you prefer — planning or not planning for your
leisure time? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.

11. Some people think that the family is the most important influence
on young adults. Other people think that friends are the most
important influence on young adults. Which view do you agree
with? Use examples to support your position.

12. Some people think that governments should spend as much money
as possible on developing or buying computer technology. Other
people disagree and think that this money should be spent on more
basic needs. Which one of these opinions do you agree with? Use
specific reasons and details to support your answer.

13. Some people like doing work by hand. Others prefer using machines.
Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.

14. People listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Why is
music important to many people? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your choice.

15. Groups or organizations are an important part of some people’s lives.
Why are groups or organizations important to people? Use specific
reasons and examples to explain your answer.

16. Imagine that you are preparing for a trip. You plan to be away from your
home for a year. In addition to clothing and personal care items, you can
take one additional thing. What would you take and why? Use specific
reasons and details to support your choice.

17. When students move to a new school, they sometimes face
problems. How can schools help these students with their problems?
Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

18. Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is
your generation different from your parents’ generation? Use
specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

19. Some students like classes where teachers lecture (do all of the talking) in
class. Other students prefer classes where the students do some of the
talking. Which type of class do you prefer? Give specific reasons and
details to support your choice.

20. The 21st century has begun. What changes do you think this new
century will bring? Use examples and details in your answer.

21. What are some of the qualities of a good parent? Use specific details and
examples to explain your answer.

22. In your country, is there more need for land to be left in its natural
condition or is there more need for land to be developed for housing and
industry? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

23. Many people have a close relationship with their pets. These people
treat their birds, cats, or other animals as members of their family. In
your opinion, are such relationships good? Why or why not? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

24. Films can tell us a lot about the country where they were made. What
have you learned about a country from watching its movies? Use specific
examples and details to support your response.

25. Some students prefer to study alone. Others prefer to study with a
group of students. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your answer.

26. You have been told that dormitory rooms at your university must be
shared by two students. Would you rather have the university assign a
student to share a room with you, or would you rather choose your own
roommate? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

27. Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big
city. Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and
details to support your answer.

28. Some universities require students to take classes in many subjects. Other
universities require students to specialize in one subject. Which is better?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

29. Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a
team or to work independently? Use reasons and specific examples to
support your answer.

30. Some people say that the Internet provides people with a lot of
valuable information. Others think access to so much information
creates problems. Which view do you agree with? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your opinion.

31. Some people prefer to live in places that have the same weather or
climate all year long. Others like to live in areas where the weather
changes several times a year. Which do you prefer? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your choice.

32. Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people
prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

33. Some people believe that university students should be required to
attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be
optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use
specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

34. Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a
teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher. Which do
you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your essay.

35. Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human
activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to
live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support
your answer.

36. Some people spend their entire lives in one place. Others move a number
of times throughout their lives, looking for a better job, house, community,
or even climate. Which do you prefer: staying in one place or moving in
search of another place? Use reasons and specific examples to support
your opinion.

37. Is it better to enjoy your money when you earn it or is it better to
save your money for some time in the future? Use specific reasons
and examples to support your opinion.

38. You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a
piece of jewelry you like or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which
would you buy? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

39. Choose one of the following transportation vehicles and explain why
you think it has changed people’s lives:

automobiles

bicycles

airplanes

Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

40. Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry
are more important than saving land for endangered animals. Do you
agree or disagree with this point of view? Why or why not? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.

41. Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to
travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your choice.

42. Some people prefer to get up early in the morning and start the day’s
work. Others prefer to get up later in the day and work until late at night.
Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
choice.

43. Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work
for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and
details to support your choice.

44. Some people like to do only what they already do well. Other people
prefer to try new things and take risks. Which do you prefer? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

45. Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or
chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning. In your
opinion, what does success come from? Use specific reasons and examples
to support your answer.

46. A company is going to give some money either to support the arts or
to protect the environment. Which do you think the company should
choose? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

47. Some movies are serious, designed to make the audience think. Other
movies are designed primarily to amuse and entertain. Which type of
movie do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.

48. Some people are always in a hurry to go places and get things done. Other
people prefer to take their time and live life at a slower pace. Which do
you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

49. Some people prefer to work for themselves or own a business.
Others prefer to work for an employer. Would you rather be self-
employed, work for someone else, or own a business? Use specific
reasons to explain your choice.

50. Some people think that the automobile has improved modern life.
Others think that the automobile has caused serious problems. What
is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.

51. Which would you choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would
give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with
shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends?
Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.

52. Some people say that computers have made life easier and more
convenient. Other people say that computers have made life more complex
and stressful. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.

53. Some people think governments should spend as much money as
possible exploring outer space (for example, traveling to the Moon and to
other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should
spend this money for our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two
opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support
your answer.

54. Students at universities often have a choice of places to live. They may
choose to live in university dormitories, or they may choose to live in
apartments in the community. Compare the advantages of living in
university housing with the advantages of living in an apartment in the
community. Where would you prefer to live? Give reasons for your
preference.

55. Some people believe that a college or university education should be
available to all students. Others believe that higher education should be
available only to good students. Discuss these views. Which view do you
agree with? Explain why.

56. Some people prefer to spend most of their time alone. Others like
to be with friends most of the time. Do you prefer to spend your
time alone or with friends? Use specific reasons to support your
answer.

57. Some people believe that students should be given one long vacation each
year. Others believe that students should have several short vacations
throughout the year. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your choice.

58. Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment
building? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

59. Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things we really do
not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that
may improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.

60. Some people prefer to spend their free time outdoors. Other people
prefer to spend their leisure time indoors. Would you prefer to be
outside or would you prefer to be inside for your leisure activities?
Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.

61. Your school has received a gift of money. What do you think is the best
way for your school to spend this money? Use specific reasons and details
to support your choice.

62. You have enough money to purchase either a house or a business. Which
would you choose to buy? Give specific reasons to explain your choice.

63. What is the most important animal in your country? Why is the animal
important? Use reasons and specific details to explain your answer.

64. Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such
as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is
disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your opinion.

65. In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many
public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or
a bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your position.

66. Some famous athletes and entertainers earn millions of dollars every
year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

67. People remember special gifts or presents that they have received. Why?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

68. Plants can provide food, shelter, clothing, or medicine. What is one kind of
plant that is important to you or the people in your country? Use specific
reasons and details to explain your choice.

69. In the future, students may have the choice of studying at home by using
technology such as computers or television or of studying at traditional
schools. Which would you prefer? Use reasons and specific details to
explain your choice.

70. When famous people such as actors, athletes and rock stars give
their opinions, many people listen. Do you think we should pay
attention to these opinions? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.

71. The twentieth century saw great change. In your opinion, what is one
change that should be remembered about the twentieth century? Use
specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

72. When people need to complain about a product or poor service,
some prefer to complain in writing and others prefer to complain in
person. Which way do you prefer? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your answer.

73. Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past?
Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.

74. People do many different things to stay healthy. What do you do for
good health? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.

75. You have decided to give several hours of your time each month to
improve the community where you live. What is one thing you will do to
improve your community? Why? Use specific reasons and details to
explain your choice.

76. People recognize a difference between children and adults. What
events (experiences or ceremonies) make a person an adult? Use
specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

77. Your school has enough money to purchase either computers for students
or books for the library. Which should your school choose to buy —
computers or books? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
recommendation.

78. Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their
home countries. Why do some students study abroad? Use specific
reasons and details to explain your answer.